Russia Emerges As Irish Whiskey’s Fastest Growing Market In 2017

Russia has emerged as Irish whiskey’s fastest growing market in 2017, according to figures compiled by International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR).

The report showed that sales of 12 litre bottle cases increased by 404,000 in Russia a 19.5% increase on the previous year.

William Lavelle, head of the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) said that recent research is “propelling it [Russia] to be the third largest market for Irish whiskey globally; and the second largest market for exports.”

The second largest market is Canada (15.8%) followed by the US which grew by (12.5%).

Global Whiskey Sales

The Irish whiskey industry sold 9.7 million cases of whiskey globally in 2017, the figures showed.

“Irish whiskey remains the world’s fastest-growing spirit category and the 2017 global total exceed interim sales targets set by the Irish Whiskey Association for 2017of 9 million cases (an overshoot of almost 8.2 million bottles),” said IWSR in a statement.

This growth trajectory puts the industry in a strong position to surpass its 2020 targets of 12 million cases (144 million bottles).

“In 2014 the Irish whiskey industry set an ambitious target for export growth by 2020. We are well on course to meet and exceed those targets,” said Lavelle.

“200 bottles of Irish whiskey are sold every minute. All around the world, one of Ireland’s best-known products is enjoying new life and unprecedented popularity with more people are learning about and acquiring a taste for Irish whiskey, be they in a Dublin pub, or a bar in New York, Shanghai or Moscow.”

“Exceptional Craftsmanship And Innovation”

Lavelle said that the Irish whiskey renaissance has truly gone global and this is very much down to “exceptional craftsmanship and product innovation of Ireland’s distilleries, both large and small; and the hard work being put-in on the ground and in the markets by our worldwide network of brand ambassadors.”

Irish whiskey is enjoying a global renaissance, with sales in over 135 markets.